Since Pakistan’s inception, its people have widely believed – or to some extent have been forced to believe – that the country remains under existential threat from its immediate neighbor India and is facing a special collaboration by Hind-o-Yahood (Hindus and Jews) to undo the sovereignty and independent status of the nation.
Thus, we Pakistanis are told, it’s the utmost duty of the army and the government to leave no stone unturned to avert this immediate and everlasting threat. This mindset is the main tenet of Pakistan’s strategic culture and supreme national interest, and the ultimate goal of our foreign policy.
In pursuance of this goal, Pakistani policymakers, strategists and diplomats have securitized every inch of our national and global view. Our national and international discourse, our media discourse, foreign-policy lectures, domestic debates and even our drawing-room conversations have been securitized. This obsession has made Pakistan a mere security state.
Our political history, national policies and foreign-policy initiatives, relations with superpowers and regional powers, associations with Arab countries and even our economic engagements with various nations are directly or indirectly viewed within the prism of security.
The political history of Pakistan is marked by the regimes of military men, where democracy was stagnated and constructed patriotism was pumped in. From the regime of Ayub Khan to the last government of Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan was at the receiving end of this.
Our political history, national policies and foreign-policy initiatives, relations with superpowers and regional powers, associations with Arab countries and even our economic engagements with various nations are directly or indirectly viewed within the prism of security.
The contemporary issues of Pakistan today are directly related to the policies adopted by Yahya Khan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf. Thus the securitization of national politics has halted the growth of democracy in Pakistan. The current transition of democracy in Pakistan is undeniably a good omen, but the back-door influence of the establishment still emerges as a source of concern for the future.
Our fascination with security within the realm of foreign policy has been the most outdated and clichéd approach to win our national interest. The sending of tribesman to Kashmir to liberate it from the clutches of India was the first experiment in the quest to feel secure.
Then it continued. In 1971 in our gamble to secure East Pakistan from an allegedly Indian-sponsored insurgency, Pakistan was vivisected and had to bear the humiliating surrender of our armed forces.
But we did not learn. Soon after the debacle of 1971, our government under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto promised that even if the people had to eat grass, we would develop a nuclear weapon. As promised, we have developed nuclear weapons, but continue to eat grass. Even atomic bombs did not cure our security syndrome.
However, another opportunity was created, when the Cold War came to South Asia. Here we surpassed all rules of international relations and diplomatic norms of sovereignty and acted as a pipeline to create and train militants. It was considered a God-sent opportunity, which thus needed to be utilized in every way.
In order to secure ourselves with modern US weaponry, we danced to Washington’s every tune. The end result was victory for Pakistan and the US. Thus the policy of security via non-state actors emerged as the most effective tool to follow our craving for security.
But these home-made militants turned their weapons against us, when the US changed its tune, which needed a new choreography after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The change had a counter-effect: In our war against terrorism, we have lost more than 70,000 precious lives and trillions of rupees, and suffered disastrous damage to our property, unimaginable physiological trauma and irrecoverable losses. But despite such setbacks, our gamble for security continues.
Our most cherished relations with China are purely security-oriented, and are further strengthened by the Sino-India conflict. Additionally, the notion of strategic depth, which continues to haunt Pakistani-Afghan relations, is also India-centric. Our whole regional policy is aimed at garnering support and strategic help in order to meet the Indian threat.
In our endless pursuit of security, we have compromised on all fronts. Today Pakistan’s economy is weak and continues to be trapped in circular debts, while our society is vulnerable to extremism and intolerance.
The political landscape is busy promoting separatism and segregation on ethnic, religious and sectarian grounds. Our educational institutions are found to be safe havens for extremists. Our diplomatic channels have failed to garner friends and supporters globally.
The recent words of caution from the US and China along with other BRICS nations are a stark reminder of this failure. Yet our obsession with security continues to shape our internal and external polices.
This nation, instead of F-16s, missiles, tactical nuclear weapons, JF-17 combat aircraft and nuclear-powered submarines, needs enlightened educational institutions, modern hospitals and industries, developed infrastructure, adequate food, clean drinking water, decent homes to live in, and a society free from the evils of extremism and intolerance.
Undeniably, the security of a nation is a supreme requirement, but it should not be achieved by compromising the basic necessities of a nation.
interesting ….the author hits the points but lives in an idealistic world….true, that Pakistan needs massive uplifting in education…but there have been real enemies on it’s borders….if there was not the nuclear standing that Pakistan enjoys, it would have been blown out of the water by now…one has to make sure that front lock of the house is secure, then one can go about dong the domestic chores..
Another Pakistani ISI agent hiding behind a fake profile. Throw in a few pics from Gaza and you have a perfect story to sell to the world about "the real enemies on it’s borders".
The Sad part of your narrative, which as an Indian I might be able to sympathize, if we were not hurt so much is that Pakistan’s enemies are within – not outwith of Pakistan.
True patriots of Pakistan are hounded out of positions of authority, media and Polity. Some are just killed. Regardless of how Pakistan tries to sell this story, it has not understood one thing – India will not just roll over and play. India will make Pakistan pay for every drop of blood shed in this war by terror.
The language from India has been hardening – the bluff of nuclear weapons has been called. The theory of bleeding India by a thousand cuts will not be allowed to pay anymore dividends.
Absolute and utter nonsensical article based on writers own falicies and avoiding hard ground realities. The author simply lost me when he said ‘an allegedly Indian-sponsored insurgency’. The fact of Indian involvement has even confessed by modi durin his Bangladesh visit to the extent of being part himself.
India is a expansionist state with hindutava being their ultimate aim. It’s not Kashmir which they occupied but there are so many other states which india annexed with force like Junagarh (joined Pakistan on independence and still illegitimatly under indian occupation) Hyderabad, sikkim, Goa, southern Tibet. Just see how many separatist movements are currently in full swing in india.
But lets see why Pakistani army considers india a existential threat. Now any one with little military knowledge would know that around 70% of indian military is poised towards Pakistan. Indian both armed divisions which are ‘THE’ attack formations are on Pakistani borders. And this has been indian military stance since day one as they thought creation of Pakistan to be a ad hoc arrangement and indian leadership of that time is on record believing Pakistan to revert back to indian union soon enough. So apart from bised & bigots everyone else would come to same conclusions.
Now coming to Indian involvement in government sponsored terrorism ‘Kulbhushan’, an indian monkey held by Pakistan is a fine example but it’s not the first. Plenty of indian agents are rotting in Pakistani prisons. TTP terrorist and their spokesman Ehsan ullah confessed indian involvement. Plenty of evidence has already been shared to US and Afghans.
Indian involvement in affairs of Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka Maldives Bangladesh are open secrets. Present Indian security adviser is on record confesing his undercover activities in Lahore and his plans to support terrorist organizations like TTP BLA BLF etc.
World has different standards which are totally unfair and based on vested interests. No one can ask US for invasion of Iraq, Israel for Palestine and likewise india for Kashmir and rest of the places unless some bigger power develops some interests their. Till that time pawns like this writer would keep on portraying fiction as facts.
Mr Sunder, you need some Edinburgh Scotsmen to stuff some brains into you…
India is not exactly the paradise you claim it to be….it has the worst corruption in the world…poverty that no one can imagine…poor young girls raped on a daily basis…..a Prime Minister who personally supervised the mass murder of muslims in Gujarat…are you sort of blind as well??…
for every one Indian billionaire there are 20 million famished souls…the terror you talk about is the smokescreen you and your backers have created……to deflect the world opinion……in the deep psyche of every Indian lives the dream of Maha Bharat..Greater India……you think Pakistan should roll over and let you bully it??…not going to happen my friend…
Kashani’s further distorts his overblown conclusion (Pakistan is a ‘securitized’ country) to paint an exaggerated picture of the country’s environment. The average Pakistani does feel fear but it comes much more from seeing the poor quality of the schools that his children go to; the way the courts and policemen uphold the law and the indifference with which his rulers rule. The situation is quite similar in India. Millions live below the poverty line in both nations while their billionaires remain unwilling to share even a small portion of their wealth to transform their lives. From 1947, the leaders of both countries have performed to low standards, but just well enough to keep hope alive for the future. The regular Pakistani works hard and continues remarkably well to contribute to his country’s growth, however below-potential that is. Pakistan was indeed born in extreme peril and that danger has more or less stayed real and present. Indian policy makers and leaders have left the world in no doubt that they would like to see Pakistan be absorbed in India, Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Modi — all have said that (Kashani read it please; it is documented officially in Indian publications). Despite all the hate-filled instability, and barring the complete insanity of a nuclear war — both countries have the potential to become moderately rich democracies in time.
Exactly what is the Pakistani security establishment seeking to protect – a radicalized, rapidly multiplying, illiterate population? Or a backward economy where imports are twice the exports, tax compliance is absymal and whose leadership hope that Chinese will provide its people even the basic services? Pakistan is no prize. If they blow themselves up accidentally with one of their much vaunted nukes, it won’t be a great loss to the world.
After a Long time I see Article in Pakistan which make Send and shows how Big failure Pakistan Imaginary threat of India has turn out. In 70 years Pakistan divererted all its Monetary and Non mone resources toward destroying India. In a due course all Other Expecte of Country were ingonred. Results Today India is strong, vibrant Democracy and Making it’s cloak toward Superpower. But Pakistan Existence is being questioned a Nd It’s turning out to be failed Estate. I wish people people in Pakistan think and act more like this Writer. Hatrted towards India will only push Pakistan furfur in far hole
As long as People like You exist in Pakistan. India need to to bother about destroying Pakistan. As people with your mantilty will destroy there own country in bid to destroy India.
I don’t understand why people use unparliamentry language to make a point in an intellectual discussion based on self concluded facts. The language gives out the mentality of the writers.
The situation prevailing in subcontinent has numerous internal as well as external factors and its the leadership failure which has lead the region to chaos and away from regional prosperity /harmony
Good analysis; about time things change for the better. A complete waste of resources on both sides; people have more in common then what divides them. A shared history, a shared culture, a shared future.
The above view point expressed by the author may have some sunbstance but the basic fact of Pakistan’s lack of progress in governance is the inherent selfishness and corruption and nepotism of its leaders and that includes leaders from all sections of Pakistan. Right from its first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan or Aligarian beurocrats to Pathans( Ayub Khan) to Sindhis and Punjabis Zia ul Haq and Nawaz). Now it is alternating between Punjabis ( Nawaz Shareef) and Sindis i.e Zardri. Both A class thugs. At one time even East Pakistani( Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi) ruled Pakistan as its Prime Minister. Still Pakistanis blame each other of favoratism. What is lacking in Pakistani Nation is Nationalism and Patriotism. Instead they are all thieves and thugs tending to their own self interest. So what is needed is a huge big revolution on he scale of Maoism or Khomani. Some body who can rid Pakistan of the cancer. More than often a radical surgery is required. Now Democracy vs. Dictatorship. Historically in Pakistan country has done much better under dictatorship than democacy.In Muslim history democracy has never succeeded.Right after our Prophet PBUH the first Khalifa sayyedna Abubak Siddique there has been assisinations and one man rule. Muslims have always prospered under dictatorships that is fact. The common man has lived much better life qualitativly as well as securely, may it be under Ayub Khan, Zia ul Haq or Musharraf. I would not name Yahya as he was one SOB and exception. But then isn’t it a fact that no which way you look at it for Pakistan to live in shadow of its ten time bigger India with all its energies directed at swallowing Pakistan, its security has always has to be at the center of priorities? The dream of AKHAND BHARAT. Take a lesson from Nepal and Assam al the other smaller states that has submissively accepted Indian hegemony. Right from Pandat Jawahar Lal Nehru to Modi whats the record of India???? So Kashani ji Mahraj it is not your fault that you wrote this article with utter disregard of hisotry but the fault of your elders and rulers of Pakistan that did not teach your generation their history. The nations that forget their history live a life of third class citizens in Dunya. I can only say at the end that Allama Iqbal at this time must be very agitated in his grave. May Allah swt grant Pakistan a Mard-e-Mujahid. Me? I am from the peope that migrated from India in 1947 and have seen how Muslims were slaughtere by Jan Sanghis and Muslim women raped. What is going on today with Rohingyas is one just one example